Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 January 2010. It was answered by Phil Hope (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 January 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

NHS: Finance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much funding was allocated in respect of patients with social care and healthcare needs who are part-funded by the NHS and the local authority in each primary care trust area in each of the last three years;

Answer: The Department does not hold information on the amount of funding allocated for, or the amount of funding spent on, social care and health care services that are part funded by the national health service and local authorities (LAs).LAs pay for social care services from their general funds, which they receive via a combination of Formula Grant from central Government and local taxation. Funding allocations from central Government to LAs are not ring-fenced; LAs are free to determine spending priorities locally to meet the needs of their populations.Revenue allocations are made directly to primary care trusts (PCTs). Similarly, it is for PCTs to decide their priorities for investment locally, taking into account both local priorities and the NHS Operating Framework.Arrangements for the part-funding of social care and health care services are determined at a local level. The information requested may be available locally from individual LAs and PCTs.

Secondary information